Nationalism
A Critical Introduction
- Philip Spencer - Kingston University, UK
- Howard Wollman - Napier University, Edinburgh
`This book is a valuable source for the interested reader who needs a concise and critical introduction into theories and theorists of nationalism. The extensve bibliography and a good index make it a work which should be on the bookshelf of anyone teaching nationalism'
- Journal of Contemporary European Studies
Nationalism provides an indispensable review of the study of nationalism that both introduces and critically positions all the main issues, theories and contemporary debates. Drawing upon and introducing a wide range of literatures from across politics, sociology, history, social anthropology and cultural studies, the authors seek to further challenge fixed notions of national identity, ethnicity and culture to more fully explore and understand the contemporary complexities of citizenship and the genuine potential for a cosmopolitan democracy. The text surveys both classical and contemporary approaches including those from within feminism, postmodernism, postcolonialism and globabalization studies. It will be essential reading for all students and academics seeking a deeper understanding of nationalism and national identity today.
NATIONALISM IN QUESTION is an admirable achievement. At once erudite and critically acute, it succeeds in plumbing anew the archaeology of the most significant political construct(ion) of modernity -- as an Idea, a social formation, a mode of producing collective identity -- and in charting its possible futures. Is there anything fresh to be said about one of the most discussed concepts of our epoch? Spencer and Wollman leave no doubt that the answer is yes. Emphatically, engagingly so. - John Comaroff, University of Chicago
`This book offers an impressively sustained guide to the complex range of debates around nationalism. Conceptually
lucid and empirically informed, it also adds a renewed critical emphasis to the range of current scholarly
positions.' - Gregor Mclennan, University of Bristol
Covers a good range of topics that are relevant to the course and is pitched at the right level for my students.
I recommend this as a textbook
An interesting and fairly comprehensive overview of the issue. Perhaps more contemporary debates (Beck's 'cosmopolianisation' theses) could be included.
Good book overall.
The book is excellent! I am sure that it can be included or recommended next time we revise course litterature.
